* Sui Dynasty (589 to 618) China is reunified, introduction of the Imperial Civil Service Examination

* Sui Dynasty (589 to 618) China is reunified, introduction of the Imperial Civil Service Examination

* Tang Dynasty (618 to 907): Creation of the Grand Canals and the rise of Buddhism.

* Tang Dynasty (618 to 907): Creation of the Grand Canals and the rise of Buddhism.

−

* Song Dynasty (960 to 1279): Development of gunpowder and movable type printing. Large scale urbanization happens.

+

* Song Dynasty (960 to 1279): Development of gunpowder and movable type printing. Large scale urbanization happens. China gets involved in maritime trade in the Indian Ocean.

* Yuan Dynasty: (1279 to 1368): China is conquered by the mongols under Ghengis Khan. Mongol rulers are assimilated into Chinese culture quickly. China recovers from the loss of a third of its population.

* Yuan Dynasty: (1279 to 1368): China is conquered by the mongols under Ghengis Khan. Mongol rulers are assimilated into Chinese culture quickly. China recovers from the loss of a third of its population.

* Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644): Mongol rule ends. Despite exploration early on, this is abandoned leading to active isolationism. To obtain Chinese goods foreign Traders must come to China. Emergence of Neo Confucianism as the official ideology. Regular maritime trade with Europeans begins, as does technological stagnation. The Ming government makes silver the currency after the failure of paper money due to mongol inflation.

* Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644): Mongol rule ends. Despite exploration early on, this is abandoned leading to active isolationism. To obtain Chinese goods foreign Traders must come to China. Emergence of Neo Confucianism as the official ideology. Regular maritime trade with Europeans begins, as does technological stagnation. The Ming government makes silver the currency after the failure of paper money due to mongol inflation.